Cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration in canine aortic endothelial cells lining the polyester arterial prosthesis.

A rise in baseline cytosolic free Ca2+ in canine vascular endothelial-like cells (VEC) lining the luminal surface of the polyester arterial prosthesis is described. In one, three and six month implantation experiments we employed six adult mongrel dogs, polyester arterial prostheses Arteknit Ra K, fluorescent Ca2+ indicator Fura-2 and digital imaging microscopy to study cytosolic free Ca2+ in cultured VEC. The electron microscopy scanning of the luminal surface in different regions of the graft were also performed. A rise in cytosolic free Ca2+ in the VEC lining the luminal surface of the prosthesis is probably the result of the immunologic reaction and mechanical stress which stimulate the proliferation activity of the endothelial cells. It seems that the baseline cytosolic free Ca2+ reflects the course of the endothelization process on the polyester arterial prosthesis.

Importance of lipid peroxidation, protective enzymes and trace elements in chronic leg ischaemia.

The aim of this study was to assess the lipid peroxidation in chronic leg ischaemia by determining thiobarbituric acid reactants. Furthermore, Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities as well as the trace element profile (Zn, Cu, Se, Mg) were determined. Fasting blood samples from the common femoral artery and vein were taken from both legs of 15 patients (57 +/- 7 years) with peripheral arteriosclerosis and 9 individuals (54 +/- 9 years) of the control group without chronic leg ischaemia. Patients with peripheral arteriosclerosis showed significantly decreased venous thiobarbituric acid reactant levels (2.01 +/- 0.37 vs. 2.39 +/- 0.59 mumol/l in controls, p < 0.05). Both arterial and venous samples from patients showed lower Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase activities and higher glutathione peroxidase activities than controls. Venous activities of glutathione peroxidase were significantly higher than arterial activities in both groups (patients 0.52 +/- 0.18 vs 0.43 +/- 0.15 mukat/g Hb, p < 0.001, control group 0.51 +/- 0.12 vs 0.39 +/- 0.19 mukat/g Hb, p < 0.01). The trace element profile of the patients showed a highly significant decrease in magnesium levels (p < 0.001) and increased venous copper levels (p < 0.05). No significant changes were found in zinc and selenium levels. The results of this study show that during chronic leg ischaemia the production of free oxygen radicals at rest is well controlled, but the activity of antioxidant enzymes seems to be impaired.

The value of arterial, venous and arteriovenous levels of lipid metabolism parameters in healthy individuals and patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD).

For a group of 28 patients with PAOD (mean age, SD 63.7 +/- 10.2 years) and 16 healthy subjects (61.7 +/- 11.9 years) we examined several lipid analytes in femoral arterial and venous blood. Compared with healthy controls, PAOD patients showed significantly lower HDL cholesterol levels (p less than 0.01) and significantly higher levels of triglycerides (p less than 0.01). In addition, a significant negative A-V difference in triglycerides (p less than 0.05) and a significant inverse association between arterial HDL cholesterol and A-V difference in triglycerides (r = -0.48; p less than 0.01) were present. Predominantly the last two unexpected findings are discussed in this study.

[Arteriovenous fistula for chronic hemodialysis in children]. / Arteriovenózna fistula pre chronickú hemodialýzu u detí.

The authors give an account of their experience with an artificial arteriovenous fistula of the needs of chronic haemodialysis. During a five-year period they established an A-V fistula with prolonged satisfactory function in seven children aged 5-14 years. In none of the patients the fistula, made as suggested by Cimin and Bresciu on the wrist of the non-dominant extremity, failed. Development and arterialization of the venous drainage system on the fore arm occurred 6-8 weeks after establishment of the fistula. Despite miniature dimensions of the artery and vein a functioning radiocephalic fistula in children with chronic renal insufficiency is a suitable method to overcome the period before transplantation of the kidney.

[Treatment of blood vessel injuries in the extremities]. / Osetrovanie poranení koncatinových ciev.

The authors give an account of a group of 53 patients with injuries of the acral blood vessels, treated at the hospital and policlinic in Banská Bystrica between Jan. 1, 1979 and Dec. 31, 1988. They discuss the frequency, incidence, site of injury, method of treatment of acral blood vessels and the results, as well as the number of diseases treated by surgeons with different specializations.

Follow-up of the long-term effect of intraarterial vasodilator administration in patients with PAOD by means of changes in resting arterial and venous lactate and pyruvate levels, and in ABB parameters.

The aim of the study was to assess, on the basis of changes in the resting arterial and venous values and arteriovenous difference of pH, pCO2, pO2, lactate, pyruvate and the lactate/pyruvate ratio in blood collected from the common femoral artery and vein before and after therapy, and at 4 weeks after therapy, the long-term effect of intraarterial vasodilator administration in 42 lower extremities with the chronic ischaemic syndrome in stages IIb, III and IV according to Fontaine. Ten intraarterial vasodilator infusions containing 300 mg trimecaine and 60 mg papaverine in 200 ml of saline led to an increase in oxygen extraction from circulating blood, as demonstrated by a statistically significant rise in arteriovenous pO2 difference persisting as long as 4 weeks after termination of therapy. The finding of increased CO2 release and the permanent drop in venous lactate levels suggest stimulation of aerobic metabolism of the chronically ischaemic tissue of the lower extremity induced by intraarterial vasodilator administration.

[Personal experience with surgical treatment of diffuse peritonitis after perforated appendicitis]. / Nase skúsenosti s chirurgickou liecbou difúznej peritonitídy po perforovanej apendicitíde.

The authors investigated the incidence of postoperative complications in 94 patients with diffuse purulent peritonitis after perforated appendicitis in the material of the surgical department of the Regional Institute of National Health in Banská Bystrica in the course of seven years. Most frequently they observed infections of wounds, intraperitoneal abscesses, early adhesive ileus with a mortality of 1.0%. The authors draw attention to the importance of early and accurate diagnosis and the urgency of surgical treatment as the best prevention of the development of peritonitis and serious postoperative complications.

[Differential diagnosis of resistance on the neck. 1. Inflammatory swellings of the cervical nodes]. / Diferenciálna diagnostika rezistencií na krku. Cast I. Zápalové zdurenia krcných lymfatických uzlín.

The authors present an account of a group of 157 patients with inflammatory swellings of the lymph nodes who were treated at the surgical and dental department of the Regional Hospital with Policlinic in Banská Bystrica between March 1, 1982 and February 28, 1987. In the discussion they analyze the problem of the aetiology, incidence, diagnosis and therapy of different diseases which could help in their assessment in common dental practice.

Importance of arterial, venous and arteriovenous values of ABB parameters and glucose metabolites for assessment of resting lower extremity metabolism in healthy individuals and in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

The study deals with assessment of the extent of tissue ischaemia and disorders of aerobic metabolism on the basis of comparison of resting arterial, venous values, and the arteriovenous differences in pH, pCO2, pO2, lactate, pyruvate and glucose levels and the lactate/pyruvate index in 32 extremities of 16 healthy individuals and in 42 extremities of 38 patients with chronic ischaemic syndrome of the lower extremity in stages IIb, III and IV according to Fontaine. The group of patients showed significantly higher values of lactate, pyruvate, glucose and the lactate/pyruvate index and lower pH levels than controls. Changes in pCO2, pO2 and pyruvate levels were not significant. Multivariate analysis of data revealed serious impairment of the metabolism of extremities affected by chronic ischaemia.